Seven reasons to visit London Zoo this autumn

Looking for things to do in London with the kids this autumn and October half term? 

Open spaces in the capital don’t get much wilder than London Zoo and, as a member, you can enjoy free entry to both London and Whipsnade Zoo for a whole year!

Here's seven reasons why London Zoo is the perfect place to be this autumn.

Be one of the first to explore ZooTown!

ZooTown is a brand new indoor role play experience at London Zoo. Aimed at kids aged up to 8, step into our miniature town with nine different roles, 30 costumes, and 2,000 toys to explore. Kids can try out a range of different planet-protecting jobs in immersive role play activities, including being a zookeeper, conservationist, scientist, vet, postie, presenter and more! 

Tickets are bookable online in advance, up to three days ahead of your visit. ZSL Gold members, Fellows and Patrons will be FREE. Tickets for all other visitors will cost £1.

Find out more about ZooTown

Halloween half term fun with Boo at the Zoo

Calling all little monsters and fearless families! For hairy but not too scary Halloween fun this October half term, trick-or-treat yourselves to a trip to London Zoo. Whether you’re looking for a pumpkin patch, silent disco, terrifying talks, or creepy crafts, we’ve got you covered. Activities run from 25 October - 2 November during half term. 

Book now for Boo at the Zoo

You can also pick up a Halloween treat (with no tricks) in our Zoo shop, or browse our Halloween collection online - from fancy dress outfits, to scary animal toy props. Don't forget, Gold members get 10% off!

Visit our spook-tacular animals

Certain animals are synonymous with Halloween, but you'll find that they're actually not as scary as you might think:

• Find our Rodrigues fruit bats in Rainforest Life.
• Venture In with the Lemurs, known as the 'ghosts of Madagascar'.
• Go In with the Spiders to come face-to-face with amazing arachnids.
• Tiptoe into our Night Life area, home to aye-ayes, pottos, pygmy slow lorises and many more.
• Step inside The Cassons (close to our camels and farmyard) to uncover the mysterious world of nocturnal wildlife with interactive games during half term. 

Spot our new arrivals 

From a baby dik dik skipping around its paddock to a saki monkey infant cuddling onto its mum, there are some new additions to the Zoo that you won't want to miss. Plus, see if you can spot our blue-throated macaw chicks that have just fledged. And there may be more new arrivals coming soon...

And if you haven't already seen them, look out for our capybara duo, Gizmo and Kiwi, who joined us in May. They're the biggest rodents on Earth, and are proving to be a huge hit, capturing the hearts of our visitors. 

Fun facts about capybaras

Discover London's wild spaces

Autumn is the perfect time of year to connect with nature and explore our 36-acre wildlife haven. Crunch through the leaves in Woodland Walk, grab a seasonal drink from the Terrace restaurant, and discover thousands of animals at every turn. 

And why not investigate the neighbourhood before heading home? Take a stroll through Regent's Park, enjoy spectacular views from the top of Primrose Hill, or wander along the canal to Camden Market.

Escape to the tropics 

After enjoying an autumn stroll, you'll likely be ready to step out of the crisp fresh air and travel to warmer climes.

• Explore Giants of the Galápagos and be transported to the famous archipelago to visit our tortoise trio in the tropical atmosphere - it's 27 degrees inside
• You can also warm up in Butterfly Paradise, and venture into our South American-inspired walkthrough.
• Spot our sloths, and get acquainted with some of our lesser known animals in Rainforest Life - London's only living rainforest!
• Immerse yourself in bird song in Blackburn Pavilion. Top tip: When you visit Blackburn Pavilion, time it right: our clock chimes every 30 minutes.

Create lasting memories

London Zoo has fun for the whole family this autumn, including for little ones - and remember, under 3s are free to visit. 

Whether your pre-schooler is an Attenborough in the making, or simply has oodles of energy to burn, they’re sure to love a day at London Zoo, and our Animal Adventure play area brings children closer to nature through play. Check out our top tips for a pre-school perfect day out. 

Book tickets to London Zoo